Michael's First Holy Communion

Michael was very involved in one aspect of the party planning.  I made his favorite foods from kabobs, chicken tikkas, rice pilaf and hummus to the chocolate fountain.

Beautiful centerpiece a friend sent for the party.

Michael took a bag of canned goods for the offeratory.  It will go to our parish's food pantry.

 

Michael's godmother Nicole came from DC.

He made a banner that hung on our pew.  Each child had an entire row reserved for friends and family.

 Procession

A little nervous

Fresh raspberry chocolate  ganache cake

I volunteered in Andrew's preschool for their big program called Reading Adventure.

 Elizabeth's dance recital

Strike a pose!




Let's do this!



Game face



Hot rollers and half a can of hairspray and Elizabeth's hair stayed like this for half an hour.



BFFs

 Hip Hop

Jazz

Jazz-itude

Makeup and flowers - her favorite parts of the recital

After her two performances the guys gave Elizabeth flowers, congratulated her, then went home.  She and I stayed for the entire recital.  She even participated in the finale at 10:15 pm.  

Michael and Elizabeth have been training for the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon.  Every Saturday they run at the school.  They logged 25 miles then complete the final mile on the marathon course downtown.  It was a fun family activity.

 Spring Soccer

It just so happened that on the same day both Andrew and Elizabeth scored their first goal.  They were thrilled.  Andrew couldn't wait to share the news with his Papa.

Easter Egg Hunt at the country club

 

Two want to start the egg hunt and one is waiting for brunch.

Andrew was not too happy to be in the youngest section.

 

Michael remarked, "Cool egg hunt.  Some eggs are filled with candy and others money."

After Easter mass the children grabbed their buckets ready to look for the basket of treats.

Michael showing off his tornado simulator.

 

Andrew exclaimed, "I have the biggest dinosaur book in the world!"

 

 Elizabeth trying on my first communion dress

 We hosted our annual Easter Egg Hunt

Some of the kids ready to go.

 

The champagne cocktail was a hit.  One mother commented that all egg hunts should have alcohol.

 

The children traded in their eggs for a chocolate bunny.

 

The Easter train at the mall is always a hit.

 

The Spring show at Phipps Botanical Gardens was gorgeous.

Our Sunday Funday activity was for the children to take their own photographs on their iPads then create a collage at home.

 

 These pictures don't capture the beauty.  This was a rainbow of flowers with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" playing.

Michael does not usually help me in the kitchen, so I was happy that he offered to frost the chocolate cake.

 

April showers bring cute rain gear at the bus stop.

 

This year we were ready for the Super Hero race.

Only my daughter would sprint a race in knee high boots.

 

Michael and James ran the 5K and Elizabeth, Andrew and I  ran the kid's fun run.